Here’s our guide to what’s on May Half Term in South Wales for families. The list covers the Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Swansea and surrounding areas.
Please check with the organisers of the events for the full details. Hope you all have a fab Half Term.
What’s On May Half Term – The Vale of Glamorgan
Dyffryn Gardens, Dyffryn
Nature spotter trial 26 May-3 June
Follow a multi-sensory nature trail and take in the colours, smells and buzzing sounds of their enormous gardens. You’ll also be able to have a go at croquet on the lawn. There’s also their new wild play area, covering half an acre.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyffryn-gardens
Hendrewennol Farm, Cowbridge
Monday 28th May from 10:00 a.m.
This years first Strawberry day is on Bank Holiday Monday. You’ll need to get there early if you want a pick of the crop, as the early season fruit goes quickly.
Women & Girls Softball Festival, Corntown
Sunday 3rd June – 1p.m. – 6p.m. – Free Event
Have a go at softball. Whether you’ve played cricket before or never picked up a bat in your life, you will be welcome. It’s all about getting together to enjoy the game! Games will be quick and fun, leaving plenty of time for “prosecco”! Games will be played with a softball, with plenty to get involved in throughout the day as the club host their annual gala simultaneously.
Every team that enters receives a free team kit bag along wit matching colourful Tshirt’s on the day of the festival. See facebook link to sign-up
Cowbridge Food Festival, Cowbridge
Sunday 27th May & Monday 28th May (Tickets £5.00 each)
Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival has a host of artisan food stalls, entertainment and childrens activities running over the bank holiday weekend. In addition to the actual Food Festival, many of the local businesses within Cowbridge also put on special events.
The Royal Mint, Llantrisant
Monday 28th May – Sunday 3rd June – Spy Weeek
You will be assigned a spy name and challenged to complete a secret mission. New missions every day. You can read about our visit to the Royal Mint here.
All included with normal Royal Mint Experience tickets
Amelia Trust Farm, Barry
Saturday 26th May – Sunday 3rd June – Sophies Spring Nature Spotter Trail (£2.50 per child)
Help Sophie their Spring Nature Spotter, explore the Farm with the help of some clues, in search of the ‘planted’ answers! See if you can find all of her flying friends buzzing around and beautiful flowers and plants on display and win a prize at the end!
Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Tuesday 29th May – The Greatest Showman, Sing Along (Tickets £6.00 – £6.50 Adult, £3.00 for U16s)
A chance to see the film , again, and sing along to all the great show tunes.
Knap Gardens, Barry
Sunday 3rd June – 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Free – donations welcomed)
Featuring many local talented musicians, dancers, artists and craftspeople, together with a few guest surprises. The theme of the festival is ‘Peace and Friendship’ and the aim is to create a gentle event, with a friendly atmosphere. Take a picnic and a blanket.
Penarth Rof Top Cinema, Penarth
Tuesday 29th May – Beauty and the Beast (c.£12.50)
Saturday 2nd June – The Greatest Showman(c.£12.50)
A series of movies on top of the Figtree restaurant on Penarth seafront with comfy deck chairs, blankets and a pop-up bar and food from the Figtree!
What’s On May Half Term – Bridgend
Bryngarw Country Park
Thursday 31st May – SeaQuest
Bridgend Miniature Railway, Bridgend
Saturday 2nd June, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Public Open day
Have a ride on the trains. Set in over 4 acres of woodland adjacent to the Parc Slip nature reserve there’s plenty of space to have a picnic or a wander.
www.bridgendminaturerailway.com
Pyle Garden Centre, Pyle
Friday June 1st, 2:30 p.m. Cost £8.00 per child
A Children’s Workshop creating magical fairy gardens. Little ones can enjoy a creative gardening afternoon with where they can design an enchanting little home for their fairies and elves.
All materials supplied. Children are welcome to bring along their own fairies or accessories for additional decoration. Booking on 01656 741443 is essential
Wild Life Trust, Parc Slip, Tondu, Bridgend
Friday June 1st, 9:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Suggested donation of £2.00 each
Learn about the fascinating world of bats. A night time walk around the reserve to find and identify the bats of Pwll Waun Cynon. This will be followed by a session looking at the moths we’ve caught in our light trap. For ages 7 and above. Remember your torch!
Meeting Place: Fernhill train station, near Mountain Ash. Pre booking essential on Booking on 07812 063444 to reserve your space.
Thursday 31st May 9:00 a.m – 10:00 a.m. Suggested donation of £2.00 each
Parc Slip will set an overnight light trap to survey the moth species that can be found on the nature reserve. Go along and take part in the recording of moths the following morning, when the moth recorders will be checking the trap and identifying the species that have been caught.
What’s on May Half Term – Swansea & Neath
Gnoll Park, Neath
Tuesday 29th May, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Animal Farm Day, free event.
Meet all your favourite animals and have the opportunity to hold, pet and feed them!
Wednesday 30th May, Storytelling, Free Event. 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Fiona and her puppets will be telling magical stories from Welsh Folk tales and legends along with magical fairy stories.
Thursday 31st May, Donkey Day – 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Free donkey rides
Donkey rides with lots of games, kiddies rides and refreshments
www.gnollestatecountrypark.co.uk
Pennlergare Valley Woods, Swansea
May 31st, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets are £37 per child and £33 for each additional sibling. Aimed at 8 – 14 yr olds
Kids will have to choose which few precious items to take into the woods, discover which plants and trees could help them survive and learn to use sharp tools to craft useful items. There will also be our bushtucker challenge (optional for kids) where we’ll be tasting all sorts of weird snacks including edible insects! Using a compass, building shelter, knife & axe skills – kids will be shown all the essential skills for survival. They will also get to try their hand at the ancient art of fire by friction!
All set within the beautiful Penllergare Woods which we love exploring.
Advance booking is essential. Phone James, 07876 794098. More details found here.
Oystermouth Castle, Swansea
Saturday 2nd June, 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
Meet experienced reptile handler Geraint ‘The Snakeman’, hear about his experiences keeping reptiles and meet some friendly creepy creatures including snakes, tarantulas, tortoises, lizards, axolotls and more! Normal admission charges apply.
Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall, Neath
Through-out Half term week
National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
Friday 26th May – Sunday 3rd June – Balloon Making 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Free Event
3 cool things to make with a balloon. Stretch it, inflate it, pop it! –celebrate the humble balloon by making 3 cool crafts including a balloon rocket and a pom pom popper.
Pirates Exhibition (on until September)
A free event. A chance to learn all about the history of pirates. We visited in Easter, you can read more about our visit to the museum and the Pirate exhibition here.
Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea
Friday 1st June – Creative Writing Workshop for kids 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Free Event
Dylan Thomas travelled to all sorts of places – including America, Czechoslovakia, Ireland and Iran. He captured the sounds, smells and feel of different places in his writing. In this workshop, you’ll think back on places you’ve been to and you’ll use these to inspire your own writing. A free event, but booking is advised
Margam Park, Port Talbot
Monday 28th May – Pirates of Port Talbot Fun Day – Adults £7.00. Child £5.00, Family £23
Go dressed as your favourite character and join in all the pirate fun. Will also include the Margam International Kite Festival. Suitable from ages 7+. £15 per person. Pre-booking for paddle boarding required
Tuesday 29th May 2018 – Dinosaur Masks and Margam Archery Club
Dinosaur Masks – come and get creative and make your own dinosaur mask! Meet in the Castle. Sessions at 11am-12pm, 12.15pm-1.15pm, 1.45pm-2.45pm and 3pm-4pm. £3 per child. Pick up your tickets at the entrance cabin on arrival.
Margam Archery Club – Have A Go. 11am – 4pm at the rear of the Castle. You can read about our previous visit here.
Plantasia, Swansea
Tuesday 29th – Thursday 31st May – Animal Zone, Beast Creator (£4.95 per child, U3s Free)
There are 4 shows scheduled each day starting at 10:30 a.m. An educational interactive animal show. Join their Beast Creator Team and help design a new beast to combat the problem – Plantasia needs you! Don’t miss your chance to meet some of nature’s pest controllers and problem solvers including cockroaches, millipedes, scorpions, vinegaroons, tarantulas, geckos, skinks, snakes and a monitor lizard!
Welsh Valley Alpacas, Felindre
Monday 28th – 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Meet the Alpacas, Farm Open Day (Free)
Meet their herd of alpacas. Find out about alpacas and enjoy the farm walk. Paths unsuitable for pushchairs or box-fresh trainers.
Free entry includes tea/coffee and cakes, although donations are welcomed
www.welsh-valley-alpacas.co.uk
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea
Wednesday 30th – (Free)
Families are invited to these Arty Drop in Sessions in Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea During the May Half Term Holidays. This session is suitable for all ages and the perfect day of creative fun for all the family.
If I’ve missed any events near you, please let me know in the comments. If you’ve found this post useful, please share or why not Pin for later. Happy Half Term!
